From Malabari parotta to idiyappam: Kerala flavours shine at banquet for Seychelles president

From Malabar-inspired white pumpkin and coconut soup to Malabari parotta and jackfruit delicacies, Kerala and coastal Indian flavours took centrestage at the banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in honour of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday evening.

The specially curated menu was described as “an inventive celebration of India’s rich culinary heritage, rooted in tradition yet presented with contemporary finesse”, highlighting the centuries-old cultural ties between India and Seychelles, “bound by the waters of the Indian Ocean”.

The banquet showcased cuisines from India’s coastal regions, including Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, where ingredients such as coconut, kokum, bananas, jackfruit, lentils and rice form the backbone of everyday cooking.

“These shared ingredients and flavours echo the lived traditions of coastal communities across the Indian Ocean world,” the menu note said.

Kerala influences were prominent across courses, beginning with White Pumpkin & Coconut Soup served with mini idiyappam and curry leaf oil from the Malabar region. Among appetisers were Jackfruit & Banana Blossom Skewers with kokum essence, alongside Koshambari with Charred Pineapple and Yoghurt Foam and Mini Dhokla with Mustard Topping.

The pre-main course featured Sorekayi Majjige Huli, yam and raw banana thoran and greens, accompanied by Malabari Parotta and Jolad (white millet) bhakri.

Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan attended the banquet, which followed President Murmu’s formal reception of President Herminie on his first State visit to India.

During discussions, the two leaders underlined the scope for expanding bilateral ties, with President Murmu noting that the newly adopted India-Seychelles Joint Vision for “Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL)” offers a strong framework for future cooperation.

Welcoming President Herminie, President Murmu said India-Seychelles relations are rooted in “mutual trust, respect, and a shared commitment to democracy and pluralism”, adding that the Indian Ocean “binds the peoples of both countries”.

She emphasised the deep cultural links and historical connections between the two nations, noting that the Indian Ocean waves bind the peoples of both countries.

"President Droupadi Murmu received President Patrick Herminie of Seychelles at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a banquet in his honour. The two leaders agreed that there is immense potential to further deepen the bilateral cooperation and that the "India-Seychelles Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages" will provide a strong foundation for cooperation in the years ahead," the Rashtrapati Bhavan stated in a post on X.

President Murmu said that the visit is particularly significant as Seychelles celebrates 50 years of independence, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of India-Seychelles diplomatic relations.

She added that Seychelles holds a key place in India's MAHASAGAR Vision, which aims to strengthen cooperation through trade for development, capacity building, and mutual security. "India remains ever ready to meet Seychelles' developmental and security needs," she affirmed.

President Murmu expressed confidence that the Special Economic Package announced during the visit will provide fresh momentum to India-Seychelles cooperation across priority sectors, including health, infrastructure, education, defence, and capacity building.